DR LORETTA CHAN

M/OTHER is the fifth book by Professor and Co-Founder of Smobler Studios DR LORETTA CHEN, and it shines a light on the hidden stories behind being a parent.

Where did you find the women to speak to for M/OTHER?

It started with me approaching friends who were LGBTQIA, step, single and adoptive parents. But the book really gained momentum when I connected with Sai Tze Horng, the Director of Julie’s Biscuits and Founder of The Best of You - a movement started in Singapore in 2014 to tell authentic stories of people from all walks of life. Sai connected me with a previously incarcerated mother, a domestic helper who was a mother figure, and a rape survivor mum.

Which story most impacted you?

Joycelyn Teo, an ex-beauty queen succumbed to her fight with cancer as the book was underway. Her wish was for her story to be shared with anyone who has grappled with post-natal depression or who continued to fight terminal illness whilst raising a family. She wanted to share her story with me as she wanted her daughters to know how much she loved them.

Which story surprised you?

Female to male (FTM) transgender Johnny’s story touched me viscerally as he was a convent girl just like me. He always wanted to be a parent and birthed his son before completing his gender confirmation surgery.

Who should read your book?

Everyone. We need to be more open minded and respectful of differences amongst us. I also hope to provide anyone who needs a jolt of inspiration to take comfort in these m/others who have been in shackles, stigmatised, singled out from baby bonuses or denied the right to be a parent.

Who is your own personal mother role model?

Ex-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Despite her resignation, she remains in my eyes a sterling example of a batch of emerging, authentic and empathetic leaders who embrace motherhood while being in public leadership. She demonstrates that she is still an exception to the rule, though these rules are gradually changing.

M/OTHER by Loretta Chen is published by Straits Times books, $28. stbooks.sg www.drlorettachen.com drlorettachen